The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study examined national 2001-2013 data on playground injuries to kids aged 14 and younger who received emergency-room treatment.
Of almost 215,000 kids on average treated yearly, almost 10 percent — about 21,000 annually — had traumatic brain injuries including concussions.
Here are some key findings, published online Monday in Pediatrics:
- In 2005, 23 out of 100,000 kids had traumatic brain injuries, a rate that jumped to 48 out of 100,000 in 2013.
- By 2013, the annual total was almost 30,000 kids treated for these brain injuries.
About concussions
Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury typically resulting from a blow to the head that jostles the brain and temporarily disrupts brain function.
Symptoms can last days or weeks and while most kids completely recover, repeated blows to the head have been linked with brain damage — most notably in some retired NFL players.
Symptoms include:
- headaches
- dizziness
- confusion
- nausea
- vomiting
Tips for grownups
- Find playgrounds with soft ground surfaces including wood chips or sand, rather than concrete.
- The researchers said adult supervision is key to helping prevent these injuries.
- They also recommend checking to make sure playground equipment is in good condition.
- Reading playground signs and use playground equipment that is right for your child's age.
